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Shane Laemmel, MR3
to remember
Maltby, Arthur, CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town New Orleans, LA
Last Address New Orleans, LA
Date of Passing Jun 19, 1991
Location of Interment Barrancas National Cemetery (VA) - Pensacola, Florida
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Arthur Lauren Maltby, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VB-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), in action against enemy Japanese forces at the Yokosuka Naval Base on 18 July 1945. Carrying out a determined attack on the enemy battleship, NAGATO, Lieutenant Commander Maltby led his flight through intense ship and shore anti-aircraft fire from the point of commencing the final approach until well after pulling out and, dropping his bomb directly on the aiming point, contributed materially to the infliction of damage on the hostile warship. Although his plane was severely damaged by enemy fire during the attack, he brought it safe back to base. Lieutenant Commander Maltby's gallant leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: July 18, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Arthur Lauren Maltby, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VB-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Executing a skillful approach to his target, Lieutenant Commander Maltby dived through intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries to score a direct hit on the enemy battleship HARUNA, thereby contributing materially to the beaching of this vessel shortly thereafter. His outstanding airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Other Memories After graduation, Art reported to USS Minneapolis (CA-36) in Pearl Harbor, as Asst. Navigator, First Lieutenant, and B, M, and A Divisions Officer.
When Japan attacked her base on 7 December 1941, Minneapolis was at sea for gunnery practice about 20 mi (32 km) from Pearl Harbor. She immediately took up patrol until late January 1942 when she joined a carrier task force about to raid the Gilberts and Marshalls. While screening Lexington on 1 February, she helped turn back an air attack in which three Japanese Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" medium bombers were shot down. She screened the carriers during their successful raids on 20 February and again on 10 March, when they blasted Japanese shipping at Lae and Salamaua, disrupting enemy supply lines to those garrisons.
